travel startup — The immigrant story behind a travel startup is often one of resilience and ambition, as exemplified by Cypriot entrepreneur Elias Orfanou. In 2020, while global tourism faced unprecedented challenges, Orfanou began to develop his concept for TravelX at UCLan Cyprus, ultimately propelling him far beyond the classroom.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Travel startup: From Classroom to Global Ambitions
Orfanou’s journey took a significant turn five years later when he decided to leave his job in Cyprus, moving alone to New York to pursue his vision for TravelX. The platform, which started as a tour booking service, has grown to encompass hotels, events, artificial intelligence, and a broader travel ecosystem.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Early Validation Amidst Industry Setbacks
TravelX was first recognised at the Startup IdeaFest in Cyprus, where it won the award for best entrepreneurial idea. This accolade provided a crucial boost of confidence for Orfanou and his initial team. However, just as they began working on the project, Covid-19 struck, leading to a freeze in the travel industry. Orfanou recalled the initial shock but maintained a sense of humour, viewing it as a test of their commitment.
As the lockdown extended, Orfanou found himself as the sole member of the team still dedicated to the project. He took this time to educate himself on key areas such as coding, marketing, and customer acquisition, laying the groundwork for TravelX. After a year of hard work, he completed the first prototype.
Challenges and Determination
In 2021, a new team joined Orfanou, revitalising the vision for the platform. However, as he expressed his desire to expand TravelX into the US, doubts began to surface among his colleagues, leading to the departure of the second team. Faced with the challenge of finding a committed team in Cyprus, Orfanou ultimately made the decision to relocate to New York.
Pursuing a Dream Against the Odds
In New York, Orfanou encountered an engineer who shared his vision for TravelX, and together they began to rebuild the platform. Drawing from his experiences in the hotel industry, Orfanou identified a gap in the market where tourists often felt uncertain about local activities, while hotels could only recommend existing partners.
This insight led to the creation of a system where hotels would provide guests with QR codes linking them to a broader array of local guides and experiences. He believed the judges at IdeaFest recognised his understanding of the problem due to his firsthand experience.
Filling a Gap in the Travel Market
TravelX aims to differentiate itself from larger platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide by focusing on local connections and experiences. Many local guides lack online visibility, and Orfanou sees TravelX as a bridge to connect them with tourists seeking authentic experiences.
Orfanou’s commitment to passion-driven entrepreneurship has been pivotal. He reflects on the importance of narrative in business, stating, “the most important thing was the passion behind it,” which prevented TravelX from becoming just another university project.
Creating a Community-Oriented Platform
Recognising that traditional booking methods often feel impersonal, Orfanou envisions TravelX as a platform that facilitates instant access to local experiences. The goal is to reduce friction in the booking process and create meaningful connections between tourists and local providers.
However, building a marketplace that serves both travellers and providers has been challenging. While attracting providers with limited online visibility was relatively straightforward, reaching travellers through hotels proved more complex, as many establishments already have established partnerships.
Innovative Solutions and Future Aspirations
Lacking venture capital support, the TravelX team has had to become resourceful in its marketing efforts. Orfanou has learned that trust is essential for a young travel platform, emphasising that travellers must feel confident in the company they are booking through. His principle is simple: “more content, more trust.”
To enhance visibility, TravelX plans to host events like the TravelX show and the annual TravelXpo, aiming to foster a community around travel and discovery, rather than focusing solely on transactions. Orfanou believes storytelling is integral to the brand’s identity, akin to how Airbnb successfully weaved its founders’ narrative into its business model.
Bridging Ideas and Execution
Orfanou sees his own immigrant experience as a source of energy and motivation, stating, “diamonds are shaped by pressure.” His time in New York has taught him the importance of speed and adaptability, while he still values Cyprus as a testing ground for new ideas.
He advocates for stronger connections between universities and the startup ecosystem, suggesting that more support for aspiring entrepreneurs could help promising ideas transition into successful ventures. Looking ahead, Orfanou envisions TravelX integrating artificial intelligence to tailor travel packages to individual preferences.
Encouragement for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Reflecting on his journey, Orfanou encourages young Cypriots to take action without waiting for the perfect moment. He believes that confidence grows through experience, stating, “the perfect time is always now.” His message underscores the importance of initiative in driving growth and success.
